What’s the difference between a memoir and an autobiography?

Personal writing is an important part of our literary canon. Reading it gives us a new perspective and lets us walk in the author’s shoes for a while. There are a few different types of personal writing, including memoirs and autobiographies. While both are works of nonfiction that depict true stories from an author’s life, they have some distinct differences. Let’s explore the value of personal fiction and the differences between autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs.

Woman sitting on a rock writing in a journal

What is an autobiography?

An autobiography is a comprehensive account of a person’s life, written by the subject of the story. It can include details about the individual’s birth, upbringing, education, relationships, career, accomplishments, and significant life events.

Examples of autobiographies

Famous examples of autobiographies include The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank and Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela. These works cover the authors’ lives and provide a detailed account of their experiences. Other autobiographies include:

The Collected Autobiographies of Maya Angelou by Maya Angelou
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin
Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt
Open by Andre Agassi
The Autobiography of Mark Twain by Mark Twain

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What is a memoir?

On the other hand, a memoir is a subset of the autobiography. It focuses on specific experiences or periods in the author’s life, offering detailed insights and reflections into those times. The scope of a memoir is smaller than that of an autobiography, and memoirs are usually written in a more intimate and personal tone.

“While memoirs, autobiographies, and biographies all tell a person’s story, they do so in different ways. Understanding these differences can help you appreciate the distinct insights offered by each type of narrative.”

Examples of memoirs

Popular memoirs include Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and Wild by Cheryl Strayed. These books focus on specific periods in the authors’ lives and how those experiences shaped them as people. Other memoirs include:

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Spare by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Educated by Tara Westover

Is a memoir an autobiography?

While a memoir shares characteristics with an autobiography, they aren’t the same. A memoir is a slice of life, whereas an autobiography is the whole pie. A memoir can be about a summer spent abroad, a professional achievement, or a family tragedy. However, an autobiography covers the author’s life up to the time it’s completed.

Biography vs. autobiography

The main difference between an autobiography and a biography is the author. An autobiography is self-written, while a biography is a detailed account of a person’s life, authored by someone else. Biographies include information about the subject’s life, achievements, and impact on the world. In contrast, an autobiography is written by the subjects themselves, providing a first-hand account of their life that doesn’t cover their posthumous impact on the world.

While memoirs, autobiographies, and biographies all tell a person’s story, they do so in different ways. Understanding these differences can help you appreciate the distinct insights offered by each type of narrative. If you’re interested in learning more about personal writing, see what a narrative essay is and how you can write one.